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President Obama is wasting no time putting together a swift plan of action for when he takes office on January 20, 2009. He has a team looking into reversing 200 items that were put into effect during the Bush years. Insiders have said he plans to go back to the Clinton era and build from what worked well, and improve areas that are weak. This is all speculation, of course, but it does appear that Obama plans to make many things happen all at once, rather than gradually. The obvious area of focus is the economy, and he has made it very clear that he is going to push for another stimulus package for Americans. He also has stated plans to help the automobile industry get back on its feet, but he also wants much stricter regulations on the fuel efficiency. These vehicle that only get 13MPG should be banned. We can do better than that, and shame on anyone who drives a vehicle like that. I hope you’re at least letting people carpool with you. Obama also plans to put more money into stem cell research, where Bush actually cut funding. If this can help save people, I think we definitely need to be investing into it. Affordable healthcare for everyone appears to still be at the forefront, and quite frankly, I’m relieved. I recently had to let my own insurance coverage go. I just couldn’t continue paying the highly inflated fees. As a 26-year-old man in perfect health, it just wasn’t feasible with my budget. Contrary to the rumors spread during the campaign, the new healthcare plan does not harm your existing coverage, so there is nothing to worry about if you have it through your employer. Here are two topics that I hope to see in his plans in the near future: 1.) Something that gives same sex couples the same benefits as married couples. We can fight over the difference between the words “marriage” vs. “civil union” later, but I want immediate action about benefits. Obama has pledged to make this happen many times on the campaign trail, and I expect him to deliver. I don’t want any public vote for it either. We deserve equal benefits, it’s non-negotiable. 2.) Increased funding and research for HIV/AIDS. Two decades later and we still don’t have a cure! Get on it. I’m tired of HIV taking a back seat in American politics. I’m so impressed with how quickly Obama has started laying out his plans for 2009. He really has been prepared to take office on Day 1. I hope the people who had doubts will now see just how intelligent he is and what a great President he will be. What’s on your wishlist for the Obama administration?
I was drowning in negativity and didn’t even realize it. Sometimes it just happens that way. It starts with a slow drip… drip… drip. Then the water starts to rise until you are in over your head and you think it’s too late for anyone to throw you a life jacket. I guess it started last January. Rodney and I were both passionate Hillary Clinton supporters. Please understand we never disliked Barack Obama. We simply liked her more than we liked him. Things were looking pretty good and we were inspired by her… moved by her energy and convinced she was going to win. Then things took an ugly turn. She got ugly, her supporters got ugly, and we all got a little too confident. The bottom fell out and we all know how that ended. By summer, she had bowed out and thrown her support behind Barack, and we did too. That’s when things got ugly from the Republicans, and the ugliness only intensified as the year went on. We became CNN junkies, watching the news programs every night. Once autumn rolled around, discussions about Barack Obama were a regular part of our routine. Rodney and I would start the morning examining polls, news reports, and we were both deeply invested in this campaign. By October, we joked to each other that we’d become so wrapped up in politics that we couldn’t remember what life was like before this campaign. What were we going to talk about after November 4th? Well the day has finally come, and I feel an incredible sense of peace and relief that this hard fought battle is over. I feel renewed, like I’m about to experience a new world that I’ve never seen before. A better place. CNN interviewed Oprah Winfrey after Barack gave his speech tonight, and I was so moved by her. She always inspires me, and I guess I had forgotten what it’s like to feel good. I’ve been so tense, so bitter and angry about the constant attacks on Obama from the Republicans over the recent months. I guess I was drowning in anger and didn’t even know it. It’s time to get back to peace now. It’s time to lick our wounds and find common ground with our brothers and sisters. It’s time for me to be a more positive, more inspirational person like I used to be. It’s time for me to get back to the real Nathan. I’m so happy to have experienced this in my lifetime. No victory comes without some dark times. We’re now moving into the light. Won’t you help me bring the light into the world? Let’s roll up our sleeves and be the best we can be every day. When I think of Barack Obama, I don’t think about the man I was, I think about the man I want to be.
I threw this graphic together. Feel free to use it. I’m confident this will be the outcome.
Have you ever loved a contestant on American Idol, only to be shocked when he or she was booted off, despite incredible popularity? They lost because you didn’t call the number and vote for them, right? Tomorrow is the exact same thing on a much grander scale. It does not matter how much you love Barack Obama, how much you support him and want him to be President. If you don’t get out there and vote for him, he will not win this election! Votes are the only way to make him President. Do not listen to the polls that show him with a 7 point national lead. On the night before the 2000 election, Al Gore had a 7 point lead too. We all know how that one ended, don’t we? 8 years of George W. Bush! Do not assume that Obama will win. Go vote, wait in line as long as it takes. Cancel your appointments, take the day off work. This election is too important to leave to fate. VOTE. VOTE. VOTE. And if you’re in California, vote NO on Prop 8. Also, vote YES on Prop 2, which helps stop cruelty to animals. VOTE!
Today I carved our pumpkin, a tradition Rodney have had every Halloween since we got together in 2001. But this year, rather than the traditional jack-o-lantern, I downloaded an Obama stencil from Yes We Carve. What do you think?
I was conversing with my friend Lewis tonight about politics. He mentioned how much some people frustrate him. This simple conversation made me think of a house down the street. I pass it all the time. I dread that house. I try to avoid looking at it. There is a mini-van that is often in the driveway. It has one of those “Marriage=Man+Woman” bumper stickers that were so popular during the 2004 elections. Even though 4 long years have passed, this person still maintains that sticker on the back of the vehicle. It’s a statement of hatred. It’s an ever so subtle way of saying “I don’t like you”. It reminds me that the bullies who picked on me at the playground have now grown up into bullying adults. I feel fairly certain the driver of this vehicle is a woman. There is a car in the driveway, probably her husband’s. Isn’t it funny how much you can assume about strangers? There have been many times I wanted to knock on the door and just say “Hey lady, what happened in your life that made you hate me so much that you’d ride around with an anti-gay sticker for 4 years?” Well today I noticed that she (or they) had put a McCain/Palin sign in their yard. Whoa, what a shocker. I could have never seen that one coming. I felt even more compelled to stop by, knock on the door, and just look into the eyes of the person. I wanted to see who they were, and try to get a feel for their spirit. But I didn’t, and probably never will. It’s their home, their yard, their car. They can do what they want. I just wish they felt I deserved to do what I want too. It’s strange how you can build a whole story around a bumper sticker and a sign, isn’t it?
Rodney and I cast our vote today for Barack Obama. Voting is such an exciting thing. I’m really glad to have the privilege and it’s something I don’t take for granted.
A lot of people aren’t clear on whether or not they are required to fill out all sections when voting. I have to admit, I wasn’t clear either. Like many people, I believed I had to fill out all sections in order for my ballot to count. So I’ve done some research in hopes that I can help other confused voters. The Verdict: You are not required to fill out all sections in order for the ballot to count. If you just want to choose your pick for President, your vote will still be counted. So vote with confidence, and if you aren’t familiar with the names in a particular category, you can leave them blank. If you do want to educate yourself on your local candidates, go to http://vote-usa.org/ to find out who is going to be on the ballot in your area. You can click their names to learn more about them and where they stand on issues that are important to you. Many states are already offering early voting. So get out there and vote! Scholastic has been doing a poll with children across America for who will be the next President. They have been correct every time for the past 40 years! That’s pretty impressive. The results are in for the 2008 elections: Barack Obama is the winner! You have to watch this interview with these two children. It’s adorable how sophisticated and informed they are:
This golden girl still has her wit and perfect comic timing! Watch this clip of Betty White talking to Craig Ferguson: Thanks to Christopher  ©2005-2008 Nathan Exposed . All Rights Reserved Meet the Cast
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